BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Southern Research Institute today announced the passing of W. Blaine Knight, Ph.D. on Saturday, November 20, following a lengthy illness. Blaine, 55, had served as Vice President of the Drug Discovery Division at Southern Research since January 2008.

“I hope the Southern Research family will join me in thinking of and praying for Blaine’s family during this extremely difficult time,” said Dr. John A. “Jack” Secrist, III, president and CEO of Southern Research, in a note to employees. “We are grateful for Blaine’s leadership and admire his courage and tenacity in fighting this illness. His contributions to Southern Research were meaningful to us all, and we will certainly miss his insight on our senior leadership team.”

Visitation will be held in North Carolina on Wednesday, November 24 at Clements Funeral Home in Durham, followed by a graveside service in Maplewood Cemetery. Blaine is survived by his wife, Tracey L. Hauth-Knight, and two young daughters, Dallas and Meghan.

For now, Dr. Secrist will handle the day-to-day leadership of the Drug Discovery Division.